Light fixture



April 26, 1966 P. J. DOCIMO ETAL LIGHT FIXTURE 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Sept. 13, 1963 INVENTORS PETE/P J. DOC/M0 BY JEROME H. FE/G ATTORNEY April 26, 1966 P, J. DOCIMO ETAL 3,248,536

LIGHT FIXTURE Filed Sept. 15, 1963 2 Sheets-S e 2 INVENTORS' PETER J. DOC/MO BY JEROME HEE/G MKM ATTORNEY 'Patent' 2,701,299.

3,248,536 LIGHT FIXTURE Peter J. Docimo, Tarzana, and Jerome H. Feig, Beverly Hills, Calif, assignors to Marvin Electric Mfg. Co., Los Angeles, Calif, a corporation of California Filed Sept. 13, 1963, Ser. No. 308,719 11 Claims. (Cl. 240-146) This invention relates to a light fixture, and more particularly, to a light fixture which may be either flush mounted or recess mounted on a ceiling or other supporting surface.

The light fixture of the present invention is directed to a lamp carrying member and a bezel structurally interrelated by way of a diffuser holding means. Such structural interrelationship facilitates reciprocationof the bezel with respect to the lamp carrying member whereby elec tric 'bulbs may be readily replaced and whereby the components may be readily assembled during installation.

The provision of a diffuser holding means for structurally inter'relating the lamp carrying member and the bezel has been proposed heretofore. For example, see US. In that patent, the diffuser holding means is. structurallyinterrelated in a manner which results in several disadvantages. Thus, the structure in said 'patenfhas'resulted in injury to the fingers of the worker installing the'fixture, the. worker must compress spring-biased fingers/and cause the fingers to enter holes which are not visible to the worker, and usage over a substantial period of time has resulted in the bezel be coming separated from the lamp carrying member due to the lack of positive locking' structure. These disadvantages are overcome'by the present invention while at the same time eliminating manufacturing steps and components resulting" in a light fixture which is simpler, cheaper, easier to use, and more reliable during usage. I

It is'an object of the present invention to provide a novel light fixture. It'is another object of the present invention to proyide .a light fixture wherein a lamp carrying member and a bezel are structurally interrelated by means of a diffuser holding means which is easier to install and provides for more reliable service during usage.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a light fixture wherein a diffuser holding means extending betweena lamp carrying member and a bezel is provided with a positive interlock when the bezel is separated from the lamp carrying member to facilitate replacement of a bulb orother maintenance.

7 It is another object of the'present invention to provide a light fixture which is structurally interrelated in a manner to render the same simpler, more inexpensive, and easier to install than those proposed heretofore.

Other objects will appear hereinafter.

For the purpose of illustrating .the invention, there are shown'in the drawings forms which are presently preferred; it being understood, however, that this invention is not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown.

FIGURE '1 is an exploded perspective view of a recessed light fixture in accordance with the present invention.

FIGURE 2 is a side elevation view taken along the line 2-2 in FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 3 is a view similar to FIGURE 2, but illustrating the components in their closed disposition.

FIGURE 4 is a view taken along the line 44 in FIGURE 2. I

FIGURE 5 is a view taken along the line 5-5 in FIGURE 2.

FIGURE 6 is an exploded perspective view of an- United States Patent 0 ice other embodiment of the present invention wherein the light fixture is a flush mounted fixture.

FIGURE 7 is a view taken along the line 7-7 in FIGURE 6.

FIGURE 8 is a view similar to FIGURE 7 but showing the components in a closed disposition.

FIGURE 9 is a view taken along the line 9-9 in FEGURE 7.

FIGURE 10 is a view taken along the line 1010 in FIGURE 6.

Referring to the drawing in detail, wherein like numerals indicate like elements, there is shown in FIGURE 1 a light fixture designated generally as 10.

The light fixture 10 is a type which is adapted to be mounted within a recess or the like. Fixture 10 includes a housing or lamp carrying member 12 having a bezel 14 which is adapted to be flush with the ceiling or other supporting surface.

The bezel 14 includes angle plate members 16, 18, 20 and 22 fixedly secured thereto and spaced radially outwardly from the inner peripheral surface of the bezel 14. The bezel 14 has a centrally disposed aperture over which lies a light diffusing member 24. The periphery of member 24 is supported by the inner periphery of the bezel 14 as shown more clearly in FIGURE 5.

The housing 12 is provided with walls forming a rectangle which is larger than the rectangle formed by the upstanding portion of the members 16, 18, 20 and 22. Thus, the last-mentioned upstanding portions are adapted to enter into the housing 12 in the assembled disposition of the housing and bezel. Housing 12 includes oppositely disposed side walls 26 and 28.

Each of the walls 26 and 28 is structurally interrelated with the bezel 14 by means of a diffuser holding means 36. Since each of the diffuser holding means 36 is identical, only one such means and its structural interrelationship with a side wall of housing 12 and bezel 14 will be described in detail. Corresponding elements are provided with corresponding primed numerals.

A bracket member 30 having an inwardly extending flange portion is secured to the side wall 28 in any convenient manner. The inwardly extending portion is provided with spaced notches 32 and 34. The diffuser holding means 36 includes a torsion spring 38 having legs 40 and 42. Leg 40 terminates in a leg extension 44.

Extension 44 is substantially at right angles to the leg 40. Extension 44 has a generally V-shaped terminal 46. Leg 42 has a leg extension 48 disposed substantially at right angles to the leg 42. Extension 48 is adapted to interlock with the terminal 46 as shown more clearly in FIGURE 2.

' The torsion spring 38 of each diifuser holding means is coupled to the bezel 14 in a manner which is simple and inexpensive. Thus, a spring support member 50 is struck out of the upstanding portion of plate member 22. The'free ends of member 50 are integral with the plate member 22. The bight portion of the member 50 is spaced sufiiciently from the plane of the upstanding portion of member 22 so that at least one coil of the spring 38 extends therebetween and may be coupled thereto. The simplicity of the means for coupling the spring 38 to the member 22 eliminates manufacturing steps, the necessity for manufacturing equipment such as welders or riveters, and enables the diffuser holding means 35 to be readily replaced when desired. Thus, if the diffuser holding means 36 is bent or broken, it may be readily replaced without the necessity for production equipment.

When assembling the bezel 14 to the housing 12, the worker need only compress the legs 40 and 42 towards each other and align the same with the peripheral notches '3 s53 32 and 34 and then permit the legs to resume their normal disposition. This eliminates the necessity for the worker having to search for blind holes through which thelegs will extend. When the bezel 14 is coupled to the housing 12 and in its closed disposition, the diffuser holding means 36 assumes the position illustrated in FIG- URE 3.

When it is desired to have access to the interior of the housing 12 for maintenance or replacing a burned out bulb, one need only pull down on the bezel 14 thereby causing the legs 40 and 42 to move towards each otherv until the leg extension 48 is interlocked with the V-shaped terminal 46. The provision of an interlock between the free ends of the legs 40 and 42 prevents inadvertent pulling on the bezel 14 with such a force as to physically separate the holding means 36 from the housing 12. When the bezel 14 is in the open disposition as illustrated in FIGURE 2, it may be rotated, through a limited angle, about an axis extending through the longitudinal axis of the springs 38 thereby increasing the space through which ones hand may extend to replace a bulb or perform any maintenance function.

In FIGURES 610, there is illustrated another embodiment of the present invention wherein the light fixture is a surface mounted fixture designated generally as Fixture 10' includes a tray or lamp carrying member 52 structurally interrelated with a bezel designated generally as 68 by diffuser holding means 66. Diffuser holding means 66 is preferably identical with the diffuser holding means 36 and, therefore, need not be described in detail.

The tray or lamp carrying member 52 may be flat sheet metal or the like having upstanding peripheral flanges 54, 56, 58 and 60. Tray 52 is provided with an aperture 62 adjacent flange 54 and an aperture 64 adjacent flange 58. A portion of each diffuser holding means 66 extends through the apertures so that the torsion spring is above the tray 52 for facilitating coupling of the torsion spring to one of the flanges 54 and 58. Each of the flanges 54 and 58 is provided with a struck-out portion structurally interrelated with the torsion spring of the diffuser holding means 66 in the same manner as described above.

The bezel 68 is provided with side walls 70, 72, 74 and 76. As shown more clearly in FIGURE 10, each of the side walls is provided at its upper edge with a turnedover portion which terminates in an inwardly directed flange. Thus, side wall 70 is provided at its upper edge with a portion turned back on itself and an inwardly extending flange 78. Side wall 74 is similarly provided with a flange 80. The flanges 78 and 80 are provided with notches which cooperate with the legs of the diffuser holding means in the same manner as notches 32 and 34 cooperate with the diffuser holding means 36.

Each of the side walls of the bezel 68 are provided at their lower edge with an inturned flange. Thus, wall 70 is provided with a flange 82 as shown more clearly in FIGURE 10. The flanges at the lower edge of each of the walls of the bezel 68 provide a supporting surface for a light diffuser member 84. In view of the illustration of flange 82 in FIGURE 10. and flange 86 in FIGURE 9, it is not deemed necessary to illustrate the corresponding flanges on side walls 72 and 76. I

The bezel 68 may be formed from an elongated member having a length corresponding to the combined lengths of the walls 70, 72, 74 and 76. Thereafter, the strip may be bent to form a rectangular bezel as illustrated with means being provided at one of the corners to facilitate joining the free ends in any convenient manner wellknown to those skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains. It will be noted that the flanges such as flange 80 are cut away at their ends so as not to be integral with the corresponding flange on the other side walls. Thus, flange 80 is provided with a cut 88. 1} similar cut should be provided in the flanges such as flange 82. These cuts are preferably at a 45 angle with respect to the leading edge of the flanges so that they mate with cooperating flanges on the other side walls.

The fixture 10' is utilized in the same manner as described above and has the same advantages set forth above in respect to fixture 10. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the housing 12 and tray 52 are the lamp carrying members. It is not deemed necessary for purposes of the present invention to illustrate the wiring and sockets on the lamp carrying members. With a recessed fixture such as that illustrated in FIGURES 1-5, the housing 12 is generally provided with an enlarged aperture in one side wall to facilitate the passage of wiring and the like to the sockets supported therein.

The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential attributes thereof and, accordingly, reference should be made to the appended claims, rather than to the foregoing specification as indicating the scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. In a lighting fixture comprising a lamp carrying member, a light diffusing member, means for supporting .and limiting the extent of displacement of said light diffusing member with respect to said lamp carrying member, said means including at least one diffuser holding means concealed from view in the operative position of said members, said diffuser holding means including a pair of resiliently biased legs, and means on the terminal portions of said legs for releasably interlocking said legs with each other thereby limiting the extent of displacement of said light diffusing member with respect to said lamp carrying member.

2. In a lighting fixture in accordance with claim 1 I including means coupling said diffuser holding means to said lamp carrying member.

3. In a lighting fixture in accordance with claim 2 wherein said last-mentioned means is a portion struckout from said lamp carrying member, said diffuser holding means including a torsion spring having a coiled portion integral with said legs, said struck-out portion embracing a portion of said coiled portion.

4. In a lighting fixture in accordance with claim 1 including means coupling said diffuser holding means to a bezel support for said light diffusing member.

5. In a lighting fixture in accordance with claim 4 wherein said last-mentioned means includes a struck-out portion, said diffuser holding means including a torsion spring having a coiled portion integral with said legs, said struck-out portion embracing a portion of said coiled portion.

6. A fixture in accordance with claim 1 wherein said interlocking means includes an extension integral with one of said legs and extending to the other leg, said extension being releasably hooked to the other leg.

7. A fixture in accordance with claim 6 wherein said extension is substantially horizontally disposed.

8. In a lighting fixture comprising a lamp carrying member, a light diffusing member depending therefrom, means to limit the extent of displacement of said light diffusing member, said means including at least one torsion spring mounted on one of said members and having legs concealed in the operative position of the light diffusing member and coacting with the other member for retaining the light diffusing member in operative position, said legs having portions releasably interlocked with each other for limiting the displacement of said light diffusing member, whereby saidv light diffusing member may be displaced away from said lamp carrying member to the extent permitted by the length of the legs and the interlock between the legs preventing inadvertent separation of the members.

9. A lighting fixture comprising a lamp carrying member, a bezel member, a first diffuser holding means interconnecting one side of said members, a second diffuser holding means interconnecting an opposite side of said members, each diffuser means including a torsion spring having a pair of legs, means mounting each torsion spring to one of said members, and said mounting means including a struck-out portion through which a portion of the torsion spring extends, and means on the legs of each diffuser holding means releasably interconnecting the legs for limiting the extent to which the bezel member may be separated from the lamp carrying member.

10. A fixture in accordance with claim 9 wherein said last-mentioned means includes an extension on one of the legs of each spring, each extension being releasably connected to the other leg on each spring.

11. A fixture in accordance with claim 9 including notches for receiving the legs of said first and second diffuser holding means, and the distance between adjacent notches being less than the normal distance between the free ends of the legs as biased by their respective springs.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,701,299 2/1955 Florence 240-146 2,792,245 5/1957 Dasher et a1 240-146 2,983,535 5/1961 Henning 292-l7 2,997,575 8/ 1961 Schwartz 240147 EVON C. BLUNK, Primary Examiner.

NORTON ANSHER, Examiner.

CHARLES C. LOGAN, Assistant Examiner. 

1. IN A LIGHTING FIXTURE COMPRISING A LAMP CARRYING MEMBER, A LIGHT DIFFUSING MEMBER, MEANS FOR SUPPORTING AND LIMITING THE EXTENT OF DISPLACEMENT OF SAID LIGHT DIFFUSING MEMBER WITH RESPECT TO SAID LAMP CARRYING MEMBER, SAID MEANS INCLUDING AT LEAST ONE DIFFUSER HOLDING MEANS CONCEALED FROM VIEW IN THE OPERATIVE POSITION OF SAID MEMBERS, SAID DIFFUSER HOLDING MEANS INCLUDING A PAIR OF RESILIENTLY BIASED LEGS, AND MEANS ON THE TERMINAL PORTIONS OF SAID LEGS FOR RELEASABLY INTERLOCKING SAID LEGS WITH EACH OTHER THEREBY LIMITING THE EXTENT OF DISPLACEMENT OF SAID LIGHT DIFFUSING MEMBER WITH RESPECT TO SAID LAMP CARRYING MEMBER. 